In a letter mailed to all 66 state sheriffs, Kutun charged Pajcic`s opposition to the death penalty while in the Legislature meant Pajcic would not be able to fight crime effectively.

Kutun cited three bills sponsored by Pajcic while he was a Jacksonville representative. One bill would have created a life without parole sentence as an alternative to the death penalty, the second would have required a unanimous jury vote before imposing the death penalty, and the third would have prohibited a judge from overriding a jury vote of life imprisonment to impose death.

Pajcic has said he would sign death warrants if elected governor, even though he opposes the death penalty. Pajcic campaign spokesman Colin Leitch said that position did not mean Pajcic was soft on crime.

``The irony here is the support of the 23 sheriff`s demonstrates law enforcement officers have faith in Steve`s ability to fight crime,`` Leitch said. ``The sheriffs are firmly committed to Steve Pajcic.``